New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-04
PANIC-STRICKEN TORIES.
EFFECT OF THE BRIDGEToN ELECTION.
vaE PLAIN ISSUE INVOLVED -NoRTHwIcH cANDI'
pArEs-wAITING FOR TIME TO REMOVE
Mr.. GLADsTONE-DUBLIN HONoRs
TO COLLINS AND OBRIEN.

Mr.. GLADsToNE-DUBLIN HoNoRs
TO COLLINS AND O'BRIEN.
lBY cABLE THE TRIBUSE.l
Copyright; 1887: The Ne,- York Tribune.
LONDON, Aug 3.-Tbe result Of the Brldgeton
election has surpassed the most sanguine expecta-
irons An hour before the declaration of the poll
Tories In the House were confident that the ma
jority had been reduced to close on q hundred In
Brdgeton. They admitted it was fair fight on
the plain issue: Home Rule or Coercion for Ire
land in the chief division of Gasgow. 1t is one OF
those borough constituencies in which local side
issues play but little part at elections The an
swer of Bridgeton has been to roll up the Liberal
majority from 700 to 1 400. This is the most de-
cisive triumph for Home Rule of all the by-elec-
tions. Sir George Treveyan will for many reasons
prove an invaluable acquisition to Mr. Gladstone.
If he has been weak politician, 1t is true that
he has always been an honest one. and now
he is Home Ruler retraite. His speeches our
ing the contest have committed him irrevocably.
He cannot afford again to 60 back on his party !
he has burnt his bridges and could not go back II
be would. His presence on the front Opposition
bench between Mr.. Chamberlain and Lord Harting-
ton will be a centre of disturbance to them. Lib
eral- -Unonists those of them who not yet hope
lessy lost-will see IN his example the way OF sal
walton the rest will see in him portent OF despair
In the country Sir Georges success Will have the
effect OF stimulating the waverng voters at future
elections.
The most important contest now pending is
Northwich. in Cheshire, which is to come OH next
week. and Sir George Treveyan is going down
there to speak for the Gladstonian candidate.
This seat was held BY Unionst, and the Unionist
candidate now is the son of the Dnke of West
Minister, the richest nobeman in England and the
chief landed proprietor in Cheshire.
The effect of the BridgetOn victory upon
the Government has been parayzing. 1t
will render their Coercion Act dead
letter. They may proclaim the National
League as apiece of bluff but they will never dare
to follow up their proclamation with a real admin
istration of the act, in view of such spirit as
Bridgeton shows to exist in Great Britain. The
Times to-day urges the Government to hold on to
their seats like grim death for the remaining five
years of their term, time is on their side In
other words. as MIR. Gladstone, they hope, will be
out of the way by that time This Is now the
watchword of the Tory panic l learn that
they have Issued a secret circular to the
party organization placing this consideration
before them and using the same phrase,
"Time is on our side" All their hopes
are now based upon the prospective death OF Mr.
Gladstone. When a party comes to such pass as
that in English political life its dissolution cannot
be far Off Icannot imagine surer way to rouse the
indignation Of the country against them than this
confession that the cardinal principle Of their pro-
gramme depends upon the death of their chief
opponent. Their chief opponent by the way. was
never in better form and has not looked less like
dying for ten years past.
General p. A. Collins, of Boston, and
Mr.. William OBrien had the free
dom of Dublin conferred on them yesterday
and were entertained in the evening at a State
banonat hv the 7 ord Mavor COnferrlnQ its free
dom is the highest honor an Irish city can bestow
upon distinguished person. Among those who re-
ceived the freedom of Dublin within recent years
are Mr. Butt Mr.. Gladstone. General Grant and
Mr. Parnell Questions are to be asked in the
House of Commons tomorrow as to the manner IN
which General Collins has been dogged by detec-
,ives and his baggage searched as If for dynamite,
during his visit to Ireland.
TIP. Gill, NJ p.